Jamberoo Public School Newsletter

Term 1 Week 4 Newsletter 2023

Acknowledgement of Country

Kindness is a gift everyone can afford to give


From the Principal

Dear Jamberoo Public School Community,

District Swimming Carnival Tomorrow, 35 swimmers from Jamberoo Public School will head to Albion Park Swimming Pool to compete at the Tongarra District Carnival. We wish our future Emma McKeons and Ian Thorpes the best of the luck at the carnival.


Student Leaning Plans

In Weeks 6 & 7 of this term, students who have individual education plans, personalised learning plans and students who receive integration funds will be meeting with Jamberoo staff to discuss their goals for 2023. Parents/carers will also be contacted to contribute their thoughts and ideas to the goal setting process.

Our whole school goal is to ensure that all school stake-holders are active contributors to the learning, achievement and growth of our students. Together we are all partners in the learning process.


Three-Way Conferences

The school will once again be conducting three-way conferences at the end of Term One. The reason for conducting them in Term One is to provide teachers the opportunity to share with parents the strengths and areas for improvement of our students at the early stages of the year, rather than when reports go home at the end of Term Two. Parents will be provided with vital information about their child’s learning during the early stage of Semester One, which will assist in developing learning goals for their child and address the steps to achieving them.


Minnamurra Lions Club

The P&C has been donated $1000 by the amazing crew at Minnamurra Lions Club for 2023. These funds have very generously been given to support Jamberoo students access all aspects of the curriculum. This may include, supporting families financially to assist students being able to attend excursions or camps and backing students to access educational resources to support their learning.

The school and the P&C very much appreciate the kind donation of the Minnamurra Lions Club. Please don’t hesitate to contact the school or the P&C this year if you believe your child/children will benefit from the funds.


Out of School Hours Care (OSHC)

The NSW Department of Education is continuing to finalise the tender process as quickly as possible, however the service will not be commencing in Term 1 2023. The Department is aware of the importance of access to an OSHC service for our community and is working to complete the tender as soon as possible. Please be assured the school will provide the Jamberoo community with an update once more information becomes available. Should you have any questions about this, you may wish to contact the Department at BASCreform@det.nsw.edu.au


Attendance

The start of a new school year provides parents/carers with an excellent opportunity to develop great attendance habits in their children. Most of our students already have these well established. The following information is provided as a reminder of obligations if a child is absent from school.

Parent/s or caregivers are required – by law – to provide a written or verbal explanation to the Principal within seven days of any absence as to why their child was not at school. It is important that the school receives a written or verbal explanation because:

(1) It is a parent’s legal obligation to explain their child’s absence within seven days.

(2) It is a requirement that the school investigate all unexplained absences.

(3) It avoids the school and the School Attendance Officer from making unnecessary investigations.


Whole Day Absences

Explanations for whole day absences can be given by responding to school SMS, writing a Class Dojo message, calling the school or by sending a note in with the child.

The explanation should contain:

1. Date of writing if it is a written explanation.

2. Child’s name.

3. Child’s year group.

4. Days/dates the child was absent from school.

5. The reason the child was absent.

6. The signature of the child’s parent or caregiver if on a written note.

A written explanation should be brought to school on the first day the student returns to school after an absence. Other forms of notification can be given on the day:

* phone call to the front office

* Class Dojo message

* Email

All communication must be made within 7 days of the absence. The school is required to investigate all unexplained absences (where a child has been absent, and no explanation has been received) within two days.

The Principal will only grant leave for the following instances:

• Sickness – where the absence is satisfactorily explained as being due to illness

• misadventure or unforeseen event

• participation in special events not related to the school

• domestic necessity such as serious illness of an immediate family member • attendance at funerals

• recognised religious festivals or ceremonial occasions.


Partial Day Absences Explanations

For partial day absences can be given by:

• sending a note with the student to present to the office when they arrive at school [if late] or if they need a pass to leave early.

• calling the school and speaking with the office staff. Late Students For those students arriving after 9:00 am the procedures are as follows:

• check in at the front office,

• if possible present a note that has an acceptable explanation, and then

• present the late pass to their class teacher.


Holidays

If a student is to be absent for holiday for longer than 5 days, then an exemption certificate for travel must be applied for. These can be collected from the Front Office. If you have any questions regarding your child’s attendance, please do not hesitate to contact the school.

Teacher Responsibilities:

• monitor and record each student’s attendance

• record absences daily and identify students at risk

• record any cases of lateness or absence

• contact home on third day of absence

• discuss and refer non-attendance to the Principal for follow up

• provide education assessments for students who have been disengaged and return to school.

Parent Responsibilities:

• ensure that their child attends school at all times when the school is open for instruction (see School Education Act, 1999)

• ensure that their child is on time for school each day – before 9:00am

• notify the school of their child’s absence as soon as possible on the first day of the child’s absence

• notify the school in advance if an absence of any period is planned

• ensure that contact details for the child are correct and up to date.

Regards,

Mr Chris Speirs

Principal

Week 4 Awards


WombarraDarcy Abreu, Laura Henson, London Matthews, Chad Richardson, Caelan White
BirrahleePenelope Basham, Flynn Dean, Wren Morgan, Hamish Pell, Sadie Rimmer, Ava Thatcher
KookaaraaJack Corcoran, Joshua Fagan, Faith Kristen, Elsie Savell, Finn Stacey
Wonga WongaBryce Bernhorster, Leo Downes, Amarli Egan, Beau Higgins, Elivia Kirk
WalabiArlo Baxter, Maebry Crockford, Darcy Douch, Bridie Hodgkinson, Ava Kirk, Lulu Tonta
Nanga MaiIsla Burke, Brodie Kristen, Charlie Ryan, Lachlan Sail, Alexis Tidswell, Madeleine Wilkins, Benjamin Young 
Class of the WeekNanga Mai
Principal's AwardIsla Burke, Sophia Mackay



Term One Calendar

Thursday 16th February – Scripture and Ethics commence
Friday 17th February 

– Tongarra Swimming Carnival

Friday 24th February – Student leader induction ceremony
Tuesday 7th March 

– Young Leaders Day

Monday 13th March 

– Steps Vision Assessment
Wednesday 15th March – NAPLAN commences
Monday 3rd April 

– School Photos

Thursday 6th April 

– Last day of Term One

- Easter Hat Parade

- Scripture Assembly

Friday 7th April 

– Good Friday

Principal's Award

NAPLAN Information For Parents

Download

The Sam Lewis Peace Award

Active In-Betweens

WHSPA Year 7 2024 Audition Information

WHSPA Year 7 2024 Audition Information

Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts (WHSPA) is a comprehensive, co-educational high school with a specialist performing arts focus. The school has the twin goals of “academic excellence” and “excellence in the performing arts”.   

WHSPA provides opportunities for gifted and talented Dance, Drama, Music and Visual Arts students to pursue a high quality performing and creative arts programs, whilst studying curriculum developed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). All courses lead to the award of the ROSA and Higher School Certificate. 

The school also offers extensive co-curricular company, ensemble, and studio art programs.


Year 7 Audition Applications OPEN now

 

  • Term 1 2023 - Week 7 (Wednesday 8 March):       Expo Evening at WHSPA - all invited
  • Term 1 2023 - Week 9 (Friday 24 March):              Year 7 Audition Applications CLOSE
  • Term 2 2023 - Weeks 1-3:                                              Year 7 Auditions held

 

Link to audition information: Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts Audition Information (office.com)  (link to the electronic application is within).

2024 Kiama High School Extension Class

2024 KHS Extension Class

In 2024, Kiama High School will be introducing an Extension class. This class will implement evidence-based procedures, programs and practices to develop skills and knowledge required for high performance in academic education. 

It will offer students the opportunity to work together on challenging learning or skills development that may not be offered in a mainstream school setting.

The KHS Extension class will focus on evidence-based development programs to extend students, including:

Differentiation to meet the specific learning needs of high potential and gifted students

Cluster grouping to help concentrate differentiation efforts and provide students with opportunities to interact with others of like-mind, interest and ability

Enrichment and extra-curricular programs to increase the breadth and challenge of learning, as well as offer excellent opportunities for advanced learning.

Advanced learning pathways, including acceleration, offering students learning experiences beyond their age-based competency.

Curriculum compacting, in which some elements of the mainstream curriculum are ‘compacted’ so that they are covered in less time. The time saved can then be used for extension or enrichment activities.

Students’ achievement in the KHS Extension Class will be evaluated at the conclusion of each year to determine the suitability of their placement in this class for the following academic year.

Students can qualify for the Kiama High School Extension Class by completing an application, by sitting the AGAT (a general reasoning test, assessing students’ higher order thinking skills) and by submitting academic certificates. 

Note that the questions in the test do not require any prior knowledge from any particular content area. Students are assessed on their ability to reason, make logical deductions, identify connections and spot patterns. 

This test will be facilitated by Kiama High School in Term 1 for Year 6 students applying for entry to the 2024 Year 7 cohort and in Term 4 for Year 5 students applying for the 2025 Year 7 cohort.

Official registration for this test will open early Term 1, 2023. Information will be provided in your primary school newsletter early next year.

For any enquiries, please contact Catherine Glover, Principal,  kiama-h.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Please remember to update your child's health care plan on Operoo and supply a paper copy to the office.

Roo Hockey

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